The view is breathtakingly beautiful—nothing short of stunning. Gazing over the 100 acres of Hidden Hills Farm and Vineyard, the eye takes in the expanse of green, the horses amid play, and the equestrian center with its handmade barn doors. The larger than life sliding doors give way to a warm space beckoning one to sit and savor a glass of Hidden Hills wine. Each detail of the tasting room that’s within the working equestrian barn, was that of Robin Sagoskin. The polished concrete floor, the soaring beams, and the warmly glowing globed chandeliers all work together to create the perfect balance. Cozy seating is throughout and along the wall is a custom created tasting bar.
Robin Sagoskin, owner of Hidden Hills Farm and Vineyard, has made her way to vintner by way of Wall Street and foreign language instruction. She’s at the stage where most people are thinking of doing less, but as she says, “Where many people at this time in their lives are winding down, I am going full force.” Along with her role as CEO of Hidden Hills, Robin finds time to be on the board of the Washington National Opera and is a wife, a mom and a member of Rotary.
Searching for an agri-business to complement their horse farm, Robin weighed the options.“I wanted to preserve and share the beautiful green spaces of this county, and I was aware that Frederick County was becoming known for wine. Everything else kind of followed,” she says. Making excellent wine is part skill and part magic; Robin knows this well. Prior to the launch of her winery in 2014, the focus was on gaining knowledge to grow the best grapes in Maryland. She says, “I was willing to hire and learn from the best people and I developed these wonderful relationships with others. We [local vintners] learn from and share with each other. It’s a great community for this business.”
“I wanted to grow Maryland’s grape, the Chambourcin,” she says, “and I wanted to make the best Chambourcin and Vidal Blanc. Everyone grows a lot of other things, but if we had to pick two grapes that could be completely left on their own, these are the ones.” This didn’t happen overnight; it took four years for the Chambourcin to start producing and Robin hasn’t stopped there. “Both our Vidal Blanc and our Chambourcin won gold medals for the state,” she says.
Supporting charities and loving and caring for horses has been the center of Robin’s heart. In the past, a buyer could purchase a special Hidden Hills wine which could have their horse printed on a label and all proceeds benefited Days End Farm Horse Rescue in Mount Airy. In addition, Robin says, “We have also created a special wine called Challedon that we use to benefit the Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick.” As a nod to her love of all things equestrian, all Hidden Hills wines are named after breeds of horses.
Robin is in love with Frederick and where she is in life. To describe her, joie de vivre is fitting. She is full of life; first with a warm hug, and quick to say yes to coming alongside whether it be a charity or a young woman. She says, “I will say in all the jobs I have ever had; I was usually the first woman. As one of the first women on Wall Street, it was a challenge, but we all helped one another. So many women were good to me. Many people were so helpful and supportive in this industry, so if I can give back by supporting and encouraging younger women or organizations, that’s what I want to do.”
